New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Special EFX) - Special EFX, one of the most prominent jazz- fusion groups of our era, celebrates their 25th year of touring and recording with a new CD and special anniversary performances in their hometown of New York City, and in Boston.
Chieli Minucci and Special EFX will bring their eclectic and exciting sound to SOB's on Weds., Sept. 29.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $20 in advance. On Thurs., Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. the band will perform at Scullers in Boston. Admission is $25, dinner and show is $63.
Leading up to the live concerts at SOB's and Scullers, Minucci invites fans to submit their favorite Special EFX memory for a chance to win a copy of the band's new double CD, 'Without You'. Fans may submit their stories at www.chielimusic.com.
Anyone attending the shows is encouraged to submit song requests in advance. Do you want the band to include 'Sambuca Nights' from the first Special EFX CD or 'Seduction' from the Body Language CD in their set list? Just visit www.chielimusic.com to make your request.
Performing with Special EFX at SOB's will be Chieli Minucci (electric & acoustic guitars), Lionel Cordew (drums), Jerry Brooks (bass), Jay Rowe (keyboards) and Philip Hamilton (percussion, vocals).
Founded in 1984 by percussionist George Jinda and guitarist Chieli Minucci, Special EFX became well known for blending layers of sound, harmonic textures and Latin rhythms. During the course of the band's phenomenal rise to the top of the jazz charts, they released 25 CDs, including Minucci's 8 solo releases and a live concert DVD. Jinda passed away in 2002 but Minucci has kept his memory alive with the release of 'Without You', a brilliant new double CD collection of tracks which features the original Special EFX lineup of favorites - drummer Lionel Cordew, bassist Jerry brooks, keyboardist Jay Rowe, and vocalist/percussionist Philip Hamilton - plus many brilliant guest artists, including keyboardist Jeff Lorber, violinist Karen Briggs, keyboardist Lao Tizer, vocalist Will Brock, bassist Dave Anderson, and violinist Alan Grubner.
'I am thankful to our fans who have allowed me to earn a living doing what I love - making music,' says Minucci. 'The new CD showcases some truly incredible musicians on tracks that may become the 'new' classics for Special EFX.'
'Without You' highlights Special EFX's extraordinary career and is essential listening for their legions of fans. Songs like 'Love's Lost in Translation' blends Philip Hamilton's mellifluous voice with romance and angst in an exotic, world music setting. Long-time fans may recognize parts of 'The Night Is Ours', which is a completely re-written version of Special EFX's 1980's signature song 'Sambuca Nights'. Fans will also be entranced with 'Hushabye', which was originally released as the instrumental 'Sweet Surrender' but has been transformed with the addition of the soulful vocals of Will Brock. And for George Jinda fans, the tune 'Man with a Drum' captures his original percussion sounds.
Special EFX's captivating jazz fusion textures and progressive new age twists take listeners on an uplifting musical ride they'll never forget. 'Without You' showcases the band's special gift for combining harmony, feeling, and flawless technique with remarkable passion.
Visit www.chielimusic.com for more information.
To purchase tickets for the Sept. 29 Special EFX show at SOB's, visit http://www.sobs.com. SOB's, also known as Sounds of Brazil, is a live music venue in the lower Manhattan neighborhood of SoHo, 200 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, Tel: 212.243.4940.
To purchase tickets for the Sept. 30 Special EFX show at Scullers, visit www.scullersjazz.com. Scullers Jazz Club is located at the Doubletree Guest Suites-Boston, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134, Tel: 617-562-4111.
